Economics of ageing

We are concerned with the needs of older people, particularly the economic issues around an ageing society.

Work in this area includes supporting the Pensions Policy Institute's work on public sector pensions reform, as well as exploring the impact of an ageing workforce, and assessments of the benefits and financial support available to older people. 

We funded NatCen's development of a new survey question module on social care for older people. The questions can be used in economic evaluations and are suitable for longitudinal or cross-sectional population surveys that cover community-based care. 

Recent analysis undertaken by the IFS shows that the £200 winter fuel payment does not protect all older households from the impact of very cold weather, although it does increase fuel expenditure. 

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics, which is part-funded by the Foundation, has set out an ethical approach to dealing with the dilemmas faced by carers of people with dementia. Its report is available to download from the Council's website.